The Collier County Commissioner's Chamber filled up early this morning in preparation for the Jackson Labs debate and possible millage rate increase set by county commissioners. This photo was taken using a panoramic program on an iPhone 4 by staff photographer Lexey Swall. It is pieced together from several photos taken in sequence.

Staff

NAPLES - Update: 4 p.m.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to allow staff to evaluate funding that can be implemented quickly once state money becomes available.

Commissioner Tom Henning was the dissenting vote.

That money would likely come from interfund loans, which means the commission could take money from one or more departments to put towards the project. County Manager Leo Ochs said the funding option is doable in the short term.

"It's very doable, but I must reiterate this is a short term solution (that we're) really only suggesting because of the uncertainty of state funding," he said.

The commission would need to make a decision again for fiscal 2012 about how to fund the project.

Commissioners did not favor increasing property taxes to support the project.

Judee Hill, a Collier County resident, said she thinks commissioners rushed through the process of funding options.

"I think we got rushed through this. I assumed (this means) it's moving forward," she said following the vote. "I think we don't have our ducks in a row."

Hill, who spoke earlier in the meeting, said she thought all of the state funding should have been in order before Collier County commissioners made any decisions about how to fund the Jackson Lab project.

"I'm in favor of it coming, but it should've been stalled until state funding comes through," she said.

Hill said the county should consider looking for private funding sources, instead of using public money. Hill said she was concerned with constant cuts to the county's budget for projects like this.

"We're cutting everything to the bone, but we're giving the bone away," she said.

Update: 3:40 p.m.

The board needs to make a decision today about whether to use property tax dollars to help pay for the Jackson Lab project.

The board is scheduled to set the maximum millage rate sometime today. The county is looking to set the maximum property tax rate for the county's general fund at $3.5645 per $1,000 of taxable value, or $356.45 per $100,000 of taxable value.

The rate is expected to generate more than $220.4 million in property taxes for the general fund in fiscal 2011.

County officials said upping the rate by one-tenth of a mil would bring in more than $6 million a year for the project. One tenth of a mill is about $10 for a $100,000 of taxable value.

The board can lower the tax rate before the final budget approval in September if they set the tax rate higher than staff is currently proposing.

Update: 3:30 p.m.

Commissioner Fred Coyle said it was impossible to vote on a funding option or whether to put the Jackson Lab project on the referendum.

It is impossible to make a decision today, there's a lot of work to be done, he said. This is an evolving process.

Coyle said he hoped that instead of making a decision about funding decisions, he hoped the board would vote to continue supporting the project as the informational process moves forward.

We need to maintain the momentum, he said. We can't do it if we say 'no we're not going to make a decision.'

Henning made a motion to hold a special meeting to talk about using a sales tax to fund the project and putting the question to voters. This motion died for lack of a seconder.

Update: 3:25 p.m.

Public comment has closed. Collier County commissioners are now beginning their own debate and discussion.

Commissioner Tom Henning said the board should discuss whether to put the issue on the November ballot.

Commissioners have until Aug. 24 to put a measure on the ballot.

Update: 2:50 p.m.

Janey Vasey, a productivity committee member, said the project "still has a lot of risks and still costs a lot of money."

Vasey is among the 109 public speakers who have signed up to speak. A large number of those speakers left following the 30 minute lunch break earlier this afternoon.

Vasey said commissioner need to weigh the risks as they move forward with discussion.

"I think the question is not do we want to see these kinds of medical advancements, but do we want Jackson Lab to come here and is it economically viable," Vasey said. "There's a risk whether Jackson would succeed in its research, or whether it is self supportive. It's a risk whether the cluster complex would actually occur"

Vasey, like many speakers before her, said the project should be put to a public vote before commissioners move forward.

"If (you) proceed, let the voters have a voice," she said. "We always have before."

POSTED EARLIER

Collier County commissioners have taken a break from the discussion on Jackson Labs for a time-certain presentation by Everglades City Mayor Sammy Hamilton.

Hamilton is requesting that Collier County government transfer the ownership and control of the Everglades Airpark to Everglades City.

The Jackson Lab discussion will resume after this presentation.

Earlier, speakers in opposition to the project are now starting to trickle up to the microphone.

Scott Bonham said he did not believe the government should be involved with financing any enterprises. Bonham questioned how hands-on employees would be out there, and whether a biomedical cluster had popped up in Bar Harbor.

"The people of Collier County must not become a sugar daddy to Jackson Lab or anyone," he said. "In my mind this is a stupid move. Do not do it, please."

Duane Billington also came out against spending tax payer dollars for the project. Billington said the project would have a negative impact on local charities, and would take away dollars that could be better spent elsewhere.

Billington said the proposed $130 million would fund Collier County's Neighborhood Health Clinic, the Senior Friendship Center and Lighthouse of Naples for more than 70 years.

But for every person opposed to the project, at least one person steps up in support of the project. Jamie Lopez said he hoped the project would move forward so he can continue to live in Collier County.

"I want to be able to create my future here," he said. "I want to be able to enjoy this county like I have for the past 26 years."

During a break, Chuck Hewett, chief operating officer of Jackson, shrugged about the crowd.

"It's a wonderful public process," Hewett said. "People have to have a say."

With respect to the claim by one speaker that a Sunshine Law violation had occurred when Commissioners Fiala and Coletta had been in Bar Harbor, Hewett said the other woman in question in the photograph, Hewett said a Jackson staff person identified her as an Arizona supporter of the lab.

Hewett said the two commissioners went to great lengths to not be in the same room together.

"(Coletta) would not even be in the same auditorium, we set up a video link," Hewett said. "To impeach their integrity is pretty low."

The speaker who alleged the violation, John Lundin, said he would be filing a complaint with the Collier Sheriff's Office and the state.

UPDATE AT 1:20 P.M.

Collier County commissioners have resumed their meeting following a 30-minute lunch break.

While commission chambers this morning were standing room only, chambers have significantly emptied out for the afternoon session. There is about 50 people now in commission chambers.

The board is still hearing public comment.

UPDATE AT 12:35 P.M.

The majority of speakers thus far have spoken in favor of bringing Jackson Lab to Collier County.

Collier County is no longer a place to die, rather, Collier County is a place to live, said Paul Abbott.

While many community members have come up to show their support, some community members have said that while they support the idea of Jackson Lab they feel the issue should be put to a county-wide vote.

Public comment has been opened for about an hour. Commissioners will break for lunch at 12:30 p.m. until 1 p.m.

UPDATE AT 12:16 P.M.

A Jackson Lab opponent Drew Wright said he is a little miffed that he is not able to get into Collier County Commission chambers.

"The overflow is upstairs but people feel kind of disconnected," Wright said. He objects to his tax dollars being used for a nonprofit organization.

"I don't get a return," he said. "I don't think that is what government does, taxing residents to give to a nonprofit."

Duane Billington, an activist who opposes the possibility of taxpayer dollars going to Jackson and impact to the economy, said he expects a 3-2 vote with the project going forward. The "yes" votes would be from commissioners Donna Fiala, Jim Coletta and Frank Halas.

"I have heard (Commissioner Fred) Coyle will vote ‘no' to make himself re-electable," Billington said.

UPDATE AT 10:30 A.M.

A handful of demonstrators have entered the commission chambers. They are holding signs that say "Let The People Vote on Jackson Labs, Let 'We the People' Decide and Jackson Labs ... It's my money!!! Let me vote!!!"

There are now 109 speakers for the Jackson project. Commission chairman Fred Coyle said the public hearing could take five hours.

Noreen Murray questions the project and has attended one of the citizen-based Productivity Committee's analysis of the economic viability of the project.

"The issue is that medical schools and teaching hospitals are dependent entirely on public funding and throughout the country they are being cut," Murray said.

UPDATE AT 9:49 A.M.

Opponents to the Jackson Lab project are finding there are no more seats in board chambers and have to go to three overflow rooms.

Some have been given yellow "No taxes for Jackson" stickers with a drawing of a mouse on the bottom. That is reference to the Maine-based nonprofit genetics research institution being one of the largest producers of genetically altered mice for research use around the world.

UPDATE AT 9:06 A.M.

Jackson Laboratory supporters started arriving at 7:20 a.m. and were given blue T-shirts by the economic development council that say "Say Yes to Jax-FL Biomedical Village" in white and yellow print. Commission chambers filled early with supporters to the dismay of naysayers.

Collier County Commission District 2 candidate Georgia Hiller said it was a unfair that the EDC packed the room when there was criticism several weeks ago when Arthrex employees filled the chambers against Jackson Lab.

"It is unacceptable," she said.

There are no demonstrators, contrary to expectations.

Overflow seating has been set up in the hallway and other buildings. A sign in the hallway is directing people to building B once the hallway is full.

Numerous businesses are represented, including Kraft Construction and Barron Collier.